January 2026 – Helsinki Poetry Connection

08. 01. 202608. 01. 2026

A brand-new English-language open stage and international community for spoken word, poetry, and performance, organized by Helsinki Poetry Connection and Kino Konepaja.

This open stage welcomes poets, performers, storytellers, and experimental voices working with text, voice, movement, sound, and presence. Whether your work leans toward poetry, performance art, short fiction, monologue, or something in between and beyond, this is a space to try out material, share ongoing processes, and meet others working with language and performance in Helsinki.

Theme: BEGINNINGS
– the beginning of a plot line or an era
– the phenomenology and cultural history of New Year’s resolutions
– the first morning after deciding something important

You don’t strictly have to follow the theme, it’s to provide a prompt for those who choose.

The first edition of Konepaja Spoken Word is produced by Vinski Valos and will be hosted by bilingual poet, translator, and HPC veteran Kasper Salonen.

The evening is open to both first-time performers and experienced artists. Come to perform, listen, and be part of a new community.

We focus on sharing, experimentation, risk-taking, and live encounters. We would love to hear your words, no matter how brief or random, so please contact us to grab a spot and bring your creative piece to life.
Sign-ups in advance via this link, or on site. The event is held in English, but all languages are welcome on stage.

5 minutes per performance
Admission is free

Location: KINO KONEPAJA,
Konepajanpasaasi,
Vallila, 00510 Helsinki
Everyone is welcome.

Organized by Helsinki Poetry Connection ry in collaboration with Kino Konepaja.

Events

Poetry Jam — Sointi Jazz x HPC l

05. 01. 2026

Poetry Jam: Sointi Jazz x HPC; Saturday 31 January 2026 at 7 pm; Tekstin talo, Parvisali

For Tekstin talo’s Text Festival, HPC and Sointi Jazz Orchestra put on an experience where words merge with the sounds and rhythms of jazz.

The evening’s guest performer is Sonja Huhtaniska, an artist and journalist from Rovaniemi.

After the featured performance, the event jazzes on with selected performances from an open call. Participants will have the opportunity to present their own texts accompanied by jazz musicians. If you would like to take the stage, you are warmly encouraged to apply!

Do you have a poem, song, speech, or performance you would like to present with Sointi Jazz? Applications are open for performances lasting 5 to 10 minutes. Please send your application by 16 January to hpc.openmic@gmail.com

In your message, briefly introduce yourself and describe the content and length of your performance. The atmosphere and unique sound world of each piece will be explored together with the musicians.

There will also be space during the evening for a spontaneous open mic. The maximum length of each performance is 4 minutes. Sign-up takes place on site with the hosts.

The event is produced by Helsinki Poetry Connection in collaboration with Sointi Jazz Orchestra and Nuoren Voiman Liitto, with the support of the City of Helsinki.

Poetry Jam events follow HPC’s safer space principles, which can be found in the bio and at helsinkipoetryconnection.fi

Accessibility information for Tekstin talo is available at tekstintalo.fi/esteettomyystiedot

Free entry.

Graphics: Hanna-Katri Eskelinen

Tekstin talo, Parvisali, 6th floor

31 January, 7 to 9 pm

Lintulahdenkatu 3

Konepaja Spoken Word #1: BEGINNINGS

Poetry Jam — Sointi Jazz x HPC l